When Should I Start Brushing My Baby’s Teeth
Parents always love recording their baby’s firsts, such as first step, first word, first laugh, and even first tooth brushing. Who wouldn’t love seeing your child practice an excellent oral healthcare routine? However, what do you know about the best ways to safeguard your baby’s teeth and encourage good dental health when they’re just beginning to emerge? The importance of baby teeth can’t be overstated. They serve as placeholders for adult teeth to come. It will be difficult for your child to properly eat, speak, and smile if they don’t have a complete set of baby teeth. That’s why taking good care of and preventing decay in infant teeth is so critical. Your infant will become habituated to the daily routine if you start early.
How do you brush a baby’s first teeth?
From the moment their teeth begin to erupt, you can start brushing your baby’s teeth. Use a fluoride toothpaste smear on a baby toothbrush. Your pediatric dentist may recommend brushing your child’s teeth when four teeth in a row have erupted; while some may advise you to wait until your child is 2 to 3 years old.
Apply a smear of toothpaste to the brush (no more than the size of a grain of rice) twice daily, in the morning and before bed, and gently brush in a circular motion for two minutes each time. Pea-sized amounts of toothpaste are appropriate for children aged three and up. Moreover, it would be best to choose a toothbrush that has a soft brush, small head, and large handle.
As long as they can hold the brush, it would help if you brushed their teeth. Once all of the baby teeth have erupted, it is time to start flossing. Sticks or picks may be more convenient for you and your child rather than traditional string floss. After brushing and flossing, get into bed. Make sure to thoroughly clean your baby’s gums after feedings or before night. To remove bacteria from the gums, use a mouthwash. After then, offer your youngster only water for the remainder of the night.
However, your children may not like tooth brushing, don’t give up! You have to keep trying; it’s your kid’s oral health at stake. Make tooth brushing a fun routine; when this happens, you can accompany them while they’re brushing, or you can make the routine into a game.
Furthermore, it would be best to check for signs of baby tooth decay. And even if there isn’t any oral health issue, it is advisable to visit the dentist the first time their baby tooth erupts. A regular dentist visit can prevent dental health issues from worsening, and it could save you a lot of money in the long run. You can ask your pediatric dentist about proper baby tooth care, fluoride, thumb sucking, teething, sealant coatings, and diet; they will inform you about how to deal with those.
When should I start cleaning my baby’s mouth?
As soon as the first tooth eruption happens, you can start cleaning your child’s baby teeth. Clean the first teeth and the front of the tongue using a clean, wet towel, gauze pad, or a silicone finger brush after meals and at bedtime.
Pediatric dentists recommend that you brush your teeth with water and a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a rice grain. There should be no more than three rows of bristles on a brush. Ask your pediatric dentist to help you find the finger brushes and a proper infant toothbrush.
You should throw away any toothbrushes with jagged edges or that are more than two to four months old because mouth bacteria can begin to build up.
What happens if you don’t brush your baby’s teeth?
Inadequate oral care can lead to trouble chewing food properly, which can result in poor digestion—in addition, maintaining one’s focus while in school might be a chore. Permanent teeth can also be harmed as a result of dental issues. Unhealthy dental hygiene can also affect your child’s speech development.
Contact Junior Smiles of Stafford to know more about baby teeth care
Baby teeth are essential, even if it’s not temporary. As a parent, you would want to take care of them to prevent further dental issues. It would be best to contact the most trusted pediatric dentist to get more tips about proper dental hygiene for kids. We have the skills and equipment necessary to make your child’s dental visits an enjoyable and stress-free experience.
Related: How to Brush Baby Teeth: Oral Hygiene for Babies
Why Choose Junior Smiles of Stafford?
Our Stafford, VA team is well-versed in working with clients of various ages and backgrounds. They’ll take the time to get to know you and your family’s requirements, and they’ll work with you to design a treatment plan that suits your schedule. Sealants and fluoride treatments are just two of the many preventative care options we provide to keep your mouth healthy.
About Us
Visiting Junior Smiles of Stafford means you’re in good hands when it comes to receiving high-quality care. Your child’s dental health improves with each visit, ensuring a brighter smile for years to come. We adhere to the ADA and AAPD’s guidelines for best practices.
Where Are We Located?
Phone: (540) 699-2441
Fax: (540) 699-2464
Email: info@juniorsmilesofstafford.com
Monday and Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesdays and Thursdays: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Fridays and Saturdays: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (By appointment only)
How to Book Your Kids First Appointment at Junior Smiles of Stafford
Fill out the form on our website. Within 24 hours, a member of our team will get back to you.